Car Starts when cold but dead if I turn it off hot

[cincifiat]

I have a 1980 automatic.

I just recently started having an issue that when I start the car cold (overnight) it starts fine. After it has been running for a while (like up to get gas for a long drive) the car won't start. It is completely dead no clicking sound no nothing. Checked all my connections and they are all good. Someting must be getting hot and then not working when it is hot.

Not sure where to start...

Any help is appreciated

Thanks

Ray

[dantye]

I have a 1980 automatic.

I just recently started having an issue that when I start the car cold (overnight) it starts fine. After it has been running for a while (like up to get gas for a long drive) the car won't start. It is completely dead no clicking sound no nothing. Checked all my connections and they are all good. Someting must be getting hot and then not working when it is hot.

Not sure where to start...

Any help is appreciated

Thanks

Ray

Just TOL, but: The "no click" means no starter juice, but you don't mention having to re-charge the battery. The cause might be something other than heat. Some sort of thermal protector interlock between the auto trans. and the starter circuit? Possibly an intermittent AFM or ECU problem?

I realize it's a pain to reproduce such a symptom, but how many times has the same thing happened?
I hope someone comes along who has solved the same problem.

[kmead]

Start with this guide:

http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/st ... click.html

Report back with your results. Hope that helps.

Karl

[cincifiat]

Dantye;

Just for example. I just came in from the garage. Got in the car and started it after it has sat for about two weeks and it started right up. So I turn it off and tried to restart cold. No problem started right up. Did this a few times and started right up. Battery is new and charged. So I drove it around the neighborhood until the temp gauge showed it was heating up. Drove it back into the garage and turned the car off. Tried to restart it and nothing. All lights and ringer sounds but starter will not make a sound.

Hope this helps. I bought a used started but before I change it out I wanted to see if that would be a waste of time. Seams that the starter, based on what I've done, is OK.

Ray

[dantye]

Dantye;

Just for example. I just came in from the garage. Got in the car and started it after it has sat for about two weeks and it started right up. So I turn it off and tried to restart cold. No problem started right up. Did this a few times and started right up. Battery is new and charged. So I drove it around the neighborhood until the temp gauge showed it was heating up. Drove it back into the garage and turned the car off. Tried to restart it and nothing. All lights and ringer sounds but starter will not make a sound.

Hope this helps. I bought a used started but before I change it out I wanted to see if that would be a waste of time. Seams that the starter, based on what I've done, is OK.

Ray

Since this in a 1980, need to ask is it a Carb. or Fuel Injection model?

[kmead]

I think you need to verify the starter connections, particularly the one to the solenoid.

As you have an automatic there is an additional wrinkle to be resolved which is the neutral safety switch circuits that locks out the starter. You should make sure this is working properly, perhaps the heat is causing it to have a fault. The next time you can make the system "fail" reliably, trace from the ignition switch to verify it is outputting power in the start position, if it is now trace to the neutral safety switch, relay and so on. Verify the power is getting there and then verify that power is leaving the switch to get to the starter. It is a bit complex but it should be resolvable.

As there are a variety of failure points at the switches and each of the wires or the wire connectors, working methodically through them is going to be key to solving your problem.

To assist in getting through this, go to Brad Artique's site and download the requisite files:
http://www.artigue.com/fiat/wiring-diagrams

http://www.artigue.com/fiatcontent/wiri ... 9_1980.pdf
http://www.artigue.com/fiatcontent/wiri ... 0_1982.pdf
http://www.artigue.com/fiatcontent/spid ... 00elec.pdf

[cincifiat]

Dantye;

Just for example. I just came in from the garage. Got in the car and started it after it has sat for about two weeks and it started right up. So I turn it off and tried to restart cold. No problem started right up. Did this a few times and started right up. Battery is new and charged. So I drove it around the neighborhood until the temp gauge showed it was heating up. Drove it back into the garage and turned the car off. Tried to restart it and nothing. All lights and ringer sounds but starter will not make a sound.

Hope this helps. I bought a used started but before I change it out I wanted to see if that would be a waste of time. Seams that the starter, based on what I've done, is OK.

Ray

Since this in a 1980, need to ask is it a Carb. or Fuel Injection model?

It's FI, Sorry forgot to mention that. Thanks for the help.

Ray

[So Cal Mark]

you need to verify power to the starter solenoid from the ignition switch. Your car has a connector in the solenoid wiring harness that is a common problem. It's located on the left inner fenderwell near the upper shock mount. That connector can get loose, corroded or burnt and create a voltage drop so that there is insufficient voltage to the solenoid

[CajunMike]

I know by experience that a failing magnetic pickup will act this way.

[cincifiat]

you need to verify power to the starter solenoid from the ignition switch. Your car has a connector in the solenoid wiring harness that is a common problem. It's located on the left inner fenderwell near the upper shock mount. That connector can get loose, corroded or burnt and create a voltage drop so that there is insufficient voltage to the solenoid

Hey Mark,

I'll check that.. thanks

Why is it only happening when it is hot? As soon as I leave it sit for a day it will start no problem.

Ray

[So Cal Mark]

resistance increases with heat

[divace73]

brown wire fix and ignition switch clean out or replacment.....fixed my hot start problem